The Power of Envy and Jealousy

This novel defines the power of envy and jealousy in the workplace particularly when these feelings are encouraged by a figure of power. Angevine decides to start selling American secrets to the Russians because he is angered when he is passed over for a promotion. Zyuganov, meanwhile, is jealous because his subordinate is getting more praise from Putin, the country’s leader, than Zyuganov is. Feeding Zyuganov’s murderous envy is Putin’s love of playing on the bad relations between his underlings.

Angevine ultimately decides to become a Russian traitor because he is jealous of the woman who got the job he believed was his rightful position. Angevine thinks of the unjust treatment he has received: “The DNCS job was mine, thought Angevine. I was perfect for it” (164). Because he believes he has been unfairly treated, Angevine decides to get...